Bartel back for Hawks blockbuster

Cats v Hawks preview (R22)
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Jimmy Bartel returns for the Cats

Geelong has regained Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel and young forward Jordan Murdoch for their blockbuster with Hawthorn on Saturday night.

Making way for the duo are Billie Smedts and Jed Bews who have both been omitted.

Bartel returns after missing last week with a corked thigh whilst Murdoch was a late withdrawal against the Blues with hip soreness.

The Cats will have a vastly different looking line-up to the one that defeated Hawthorn by 19 points in round five.

Allen Christensen, Steven Motlop, Josh Caddy, Jackson Thurlow and Shane Kersten will take on the Hawks for the first time in 2014. The players not playing from round five are George Burbury, Taylor Hunt, Steve Johnson, Dawson Simpson and Jackson Sheringham.

The match holds extra importance for both sides as they look to sure up a top two spot. The Cats are currently sitting in second, one game ahead of the Hawks and two ahead of Fremantle. If the Cats win this week they will be guaranteed a qualifying final in Victoria.